Abstract

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical procedure used to treat various mental and neurological illnesses. It is, however, most commonly used to treat severe clinical depression, a condition characterized by a depressed mood and various other physiological disturbances, including sleep and appetite disturbances, and libido dysfunction. The procedure is performed by a highly skilled psychiatrist and involves inducing a controlled seizure. Its efficacy in treating severe mental illness is recognized by, amongst others, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and the National Institute of Mental Health.